20. Maggie
Chapter twenty
Maggie
I t had only been a few months, and I had fallen in love with my job.
I had twelve of my own clients that I worked with every week, all under the age of fifteen.
I had never taught anything before, let alone given a polo lesson.
Still, the feeling I got every time a student finally understood and performed what they had been working towards was indescribably rewarding.
I made enough money to support my doctor’s appointments, and my clientele would serve as great sponsors once I played as a professional after the baby was born.
Lina and I had established a close friendship, and it was nice to have someone around who clicked with me so well.
While I tried to avoid answering most of her questions about Jack, she was adamant about reminding me of how lucky I was to have, in her words, “such a perfect, polo-playing husband.”
The same girls I observed in my first lesson here became my favorite clients.
They were well-behaved and so positive and energetic.
I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face as I watched them run to the feed room to get their horses’ treats after a successful lesson.
Behind me, the girls’ parents chatted about their plans for the rest of the evening.
“I don’t know, honey. I would love to attend the event, but it’s such short notice. We don’t even have a babysitter,” Clarissa, the girls’ mother, sighed.
“But Clairie, we haven’t been out in over two months. I know you love those girls, but we need a night away from them,” her husband, Bruce, pleaded.
The wheels in my head turned. Jack and I didn’t have any plans for the night. Plus, we needed the practice. I hadn’t babysat in years, and I was pretty sure Jack hadn’t either. It would be nice to take care of kids and get the experience.
“I know, I know. But unless we can find a babysitter in the next six hours, the answer is no.”
I turned around before I could pull myself back into my shell. “Actually, my husband and I are expecting a baby. Honestly, both of us could use the practice. We would be happy to take care of your kids for the night.”
Both parents looked surprised.
“You would do that?” Clarissa asked. “You would be such a lifesaver. Plus, I think our girls love you.” She winked.
“Absolutely. To be honest, we’ve been looking for hands-on action of what we will be working with when our baby comes.”
Bruce chuckled and shook his head. “Well, you’re in for a ride. These girls are sweethearts, but they are big balls of energy. You sure you’re up for it?”
I nodded my head. “I’m definitely up for it. What time should I be there?” They both looked at each other with a look that said, To hell with it. Let’s take her.
“Six-thirty,” Clarissa answered with a grin.
I pulled my phone out of my pocket to shoot a quick text to Jack.
Me: Mark your calendar. We’ve got plans tonight.
Jack: What have you gotten us into this time, troublemaker?
Me: Babysitting.
***
The girls’ faces lit up when their parents told them I would be babysitting them, and their parents thanked me profusely for taking care of the girls on such short notice.
“I can’t believe you signed us up for babysitting,” Jack grumped as he opened the passenger door for me. It was a habit he developed after learning that I was pregnant, always making sure I didn’t have to do much for myself. “We have no idea how to handle kids.”
I grinned at his annoyance and the contradiction of his comment. “Shut up, we’ll be fine. That’s exactly why I volunteered for us to do it. You’re just upset you don’t get your alone time.”
Jack started the truck and began pulling out of the driveway. “I’ve done a lot of shit today. Mike introduced me to some other sponsors who are new to polo to manage their barns, which will only add more to my plate. Now, I’ve got weekly barn calls to make.”
“Oh, wow. How many new clients have you taken on?” Jack’s commitment to starting a career here surprised me more than it should have. It felt good to know he was taking initiative, but I also didn’t want to add more stress to our lives than we already had.
“Six,” he answered with a deep breath. I moved to grip his hand resting on the console. “It’ll be alright. I’m committed to Mike for the season, but there are a few pro-am tournaments that I’ll be playing on and off this season.”
“Jack…are you sure you’re not taking on too much?”
He squeezed my hand in return. A silent thank you. “I’m okay, Mags.” I must have given him a disapproving look, because he continued. “I’m serious. I told you I would let you know if things got too stressful.”
“I know, but I didn’t exactly believe you.” My voice was soft.
“That’s because I wasn’t exactly telling the truth.”
“Jack! We told each other we would be honest. That we would lean on each other.”
“I know, I know. I’m sorry. I’ve just never been in that type of relationship with anyone. It takes time for me to work up to that.”
I sighed, knowing he was right. He wasn’t the type to easily open up. I was quickly learning that Jack Hennicke was a hard, confident man on the outside and a big pile of emotion and empathy, with the insatiable need to help on the inside. Submitting to his stance, I bit my lip and nodded.
“So, tell me about these girls. And tell me how to act around children, because I don’t think I’ve spoken to a kid in five years.” I nearly smiled at his joke, but the look on his face told me he was serious.
“Well, they are two adorable little riders. Josie, the older one, is seven, and Kellie is six. They both want to learn to play polo and aspire to play it on a unicorn one day. They are good listeners in the arena, so tonight shouldn’t be terribly challenging.
” The thought of taking care of little kids with Jack made me anxious and excited.
Playing off my nerves was the best move I could make.
“You say that, but you never know what kind of terrors they can be once the parents leave. I know I was a devil child. My parents had to pay double to our babysitters, especially if it was a girl.”
A grin began to spread on my face. “Why’s that?”
“‘Cause I would make her uncomfortable. A little kid flirting with you the whole time you babysit is probably not the most enjoyable situation.”
I met his eyes for a moment and burst out laughing. He joined me. “Seriously? You flirted with your babysitter the entire night?”
Jack just nodded, still snickering.
“That’s hilarious, but I shouldn’t be surprised. You are Jack Hennicke, after all.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” His smile persisted, but he lowered his eyebrows.
“I don’t know, I mean, you’ve just got the ultimate ladies’ man title.” Nerves took over my body as Jack removed his hand from mine to rub the back of his neck.
Shit. I was getting too comfortable. I was saying the wrong things.
“I really don’t want to be that guy anymore, Mags. I want this baby to change me.” Sincerity and concern enveloped him.
“It has changed you. In more ways than you think.” While it had only been a few months, it felt like Jack had grown up a lot since we left Pennsylvania.
He had his priorities straight. He acted like a husband.
He acted like someone who was going to excel at fatherhood.
Or maybe this was who he was all along, and I never looked close enough to notice.
He was so caring, so gentle, and kind. I knew in my heart that he would do anything for our little family.
“I hope you see yourself the way I do, one day. You’re going to be a wonderful father to our baby, you know that? ”
“I surely fuckin’ hope so.”